Correlation of Australia Antigen With Posttransfusion Hepatitis

Abstract

Transfusion of blood containing Australia antigen was associated with development of hepatitis or an antibody response in 74% (31 of 42) recipients. However, hepatitis also occurs in recipients of antigen-negative donor blood. Further study is required to determine precisely how much hepatitis could be prevented by screening donor blood for Australia antigen. At present, it appears that about 25% of transfusion hepatitis could be prevented in this way, and we are optimistic that this figure can be revised upward.